Iron Man ride heading for Disneyland Hong Kong in 2016

An Iron Man ride will open at Disneyland Hong Kong, marking the first major attraction based on a Marvel Comics character at a Disney theme park.

The Iron Man Experience will debut in late 2016, said Tom Staggs, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, in a post on the Disney Parks Blog on Tuesday.

"Upon entering the ride vehicle our guests will be able to take flight with Iron Man on an epic adventure that not surprisingly pits Iron Man, and our guests, against the forces of evil," the post says. The setting for the ride, located in the park's Tomorrowland, will be the "streets and skies" of Hong Kong, he says.

Guests also will be able to meet with and talk with Iron Man.

Walt Disney Co. purchased Marvel for a reported $4 billion in 2009.

At Disney World, Marvel characters have been seen on the monorail and on merchandise, but a Marvel-based attraction is unlikely at this time. Universal Orlando has a longstanding license with Marvel giving it exclusive theme-park rights on the U.S. East Coast to its most popular superheroes. Marvel Super Hero Island is an area within Universal's Islands of Adventure, and it features thrill rides, restaurants and other theming.